Benjamin Tarasewicz is a talented young performer and public speaker, and he has autism. His inspiring life story of overcoming adversity is documented in a book: Benjamin Breaking Barriers: Autism — A Journey of Hope. This blog takes up where the book leaves off, near the end of Benjamin's sophomore year in high school. Gain a new perspective from Benjamin and from his mother, Malva.

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Benjamin’s bio

Benjamin Tarasewicz, a gifted young speaker with high-functioning autism, has been giving inspiring and informational presentations titled, Living With Autism: Breaking Through Barriers, throughout Colorado. Benjamin has been featured in various news articles and on TV. He speaks at conferences (autism, talented/gifted), universities and colleges, middle-schools and high-schools, and at community venues, and has been an honored recipient of the Temple Grandin Award.

Benjamin was the youngest keynote speaker at the 2014 national conference of USAAA (U.S. Autism & Asperger Association) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs2qMEjmaXg and was a featured presenter for the 2013 BolderLife Festival, an influential film/education/action event. Benjamin was also invited to speak at the Colorado Talented and Gifted (CAGT) Conference (2013, 2014) and for the AutCom autism conference (2013). He was recognized with the 2013 Temple Grandin Award (given by Future Horizons autism publishers), by the ACL (Assoc. for Community Living) with their “Self-Advocate of the Year” award (2013), and by the ASC (Autism Society of Colorado) with their “Compassionate Youth of the Year” award (2012).

Benjamin is a compelling speaker who moves his audiences to both laughter and tears. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GwXmHMlcM8&safe=active His message is one of hope and perseverance, and he inspires people in all walks of life to meet their own challenges. Benjamin’s call for compassion and awareness is vital. Nationwide, 1 child in 68 is being diagnosed with autism—the fabric of society is thus changing, and we can all benefit from understanding the impacts of autism.